The AFC/M23 coalition has indicated that it will return to the city of Uvira after withdrawing all its fighters, following the takeover of the city by opposing forces and the outbreak of violence that has resulted in the killing of Congolese Banyamulenge civilians.
This was announced by leaders of the coalition while visiting more than 250 Congolese citizens who fled Uvira and sought refuge in Kamanyola, after forces fighting on behalf of the Congolese government began killing Congolese who speak Kinyarwanda, looting their property, and destroying their homes.
The Deputy Coordinator of AFC/M23, Freddy Kanika, who was among the leaders visiting the displaced civilians, expressed sympathy and told them that the coalition stands with them during these difficult times.
He said: “Last night you did not sleep, and those far from Uvira also did not sleep. I did not come to tell you that we heard your cries; I came to tell you that we cried with you, lived with you, and that our hearts are wounded just like yours.”
Freddy Kanika, who said that his parent and three siblings were killed in the same areas in 1996, stated that no matter what happens, Congolese people must live together in their country.
He said: “This country is ours. Those who are wise will live in it peacefully; those who are not will live in it badly. But no one loves this country more than we do, and no group has shed more blood for this country than we have.”
He urged members of the Banyamulenge community not to be overwhelmed by the pain of the atrocities committed against them, and encouraged them to stand up and defend their rights.
Freddy Kanika explained that AFC/M23 decided to withdraw from the city of Uvira following outcomes from talks mediated by the United States of America, adding that he was one of the two representatives of AFC/M23 in those discussions.
He noted that this was not the first time they had withdrawn from areas they controlled, recalling that in 2022 they pulled back more than 70 kilometers from territories they had captured, which was followed by atrocities committed by their opponents.
“At that time, people were killed. You remember when places like Nturo were burned down, houses were set on fire, and civilians were killed,” he said.
He emphasized that this withdrawal is a strategy in a liberation struggle and should not confuse people or be seen as abandonment.
He said: “Be patient; these are difficult times. We will return to Uvira. Uvira is our home. No one will tell us to stop living there. We will live there with others. We did not want things to happen this way, but it will not stop us from going where we must go.”
The AFC/M23 Political Spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, who was also part of the delegation, said the displaced people are their brothers and parents because they share the same Congolese nationality.
He said the civilians began facing serious problems immediately after the coalition fully withdrew from Uvira, allowing opposing forces to take control.
“They immediately attacked their homes, destroyed them, and looted their property. We came to greet them, comfort them, and tell them that we stand with them,” he said.
Kanyuka added that the coalition continues to hear the cries of the people of Uvira and strongly condemns the actions of Wazalendo, FARDC, and the FDLR.
He also stated that these forces began shelling AFC/M23 positions and civilian infrastructure.
“We have continued to inform the international community that the Banyamulenge are under threat. Their churches are burned, their homes are destroyed, they are shot at, and shells fall on them day and night,” he said.
Before AFC/M23 withdrew from the city of Uvira, it had requested that the city be protected by neutral forces. However, after the withdrawal of its fighters, the city was immediately entered by FARDC and its allies, including the Wazalendo militia, FDLR, and the Burundian army.
RADIOTV10
